Some of the changes Australia is considering to their immigration system

The Australian Federal Government is considering further changes to their immigration laws. This news comes only weeks after the news that Australia would be considering notable changes to their immigration system.

On Monday Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced that he would submit a white paper on suggested changes to the Australian government. Dutton motivates that the suggested changes will result in a more responsive economy and a positive financial impact on the country’s social and security interests.

Major changes that are now on the table is the abolishment of 99 visas in favour of only 10 and issuing migrants with provisional visas with a mandatory residency period before they will be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

What can be expected?

Some of the suggested changes in the white paper include:

• Migrants will be issued with Provisional Visas• Visa holders would have to spend a certain amount of time in Australia before becoming eligible for permanent residency• Retaining biometric data from visa applicants to assess their risk towards the public• Cutting down the number of visa types from 99 to 10, arguing a simpler visa system would allow faster and user-friendly services

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton added that the Australia's visa system is outdated and these changes will bring it up to date.

“We're not living now in the late 40s, early 50s, or at a time when Australia needed to 'populate or perish' as the rhetoric was at the time,” Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said.

Mr Dutton said many people were caught up by the complexity of the conditions around visa categories.

“We hope that through a simplification process, people will be able to navigate their way more effectively through it.”